The Government has told the charity that it will not be renewing anynational play contracts when they come to an end this month.
The loss means that there will no longer be any play organisationsholding contracts and no national policy on children's play.
Play England, previously known as the Children's Play Council, has heldGovernment contracts since 1999 and the Government also funded nationaldevelopment work on play in the 1980s.
A national play strategy was launched in 2008, with Play England namedas the support body to work with 20 Play Pathfinder and 43 Playbuilderlocal authorities that were allocated funding to develop 30 adventureplaygrounds and up to 3,500 play areas for children from eight to 13years old.
Play England was also involved in Play Shaper, a professionaldevelopment programme, funded by the previous Labour Government, thatencouraged local councils to consider children's play in townplanning.
After the election last May, play strategy contracts were reduced but anew contract was awarded to Play England to deliver a programme to buildcapacity for play provision in the voluntary sector in 20 areas.
Play England's director Adrian Voce said, 'This is a sombre moment.There has been uninterrupted Government support for strategic activityon play since the 1990s. A huge amount has been achieved for relativelylittle central investment. We have led a national change programme thathas had a real and positive impact on children and communities.
'We are calling on each of the governing parties to think again and tomake it the priority that it is for children and families.'
Mr Voce said that Play England's work would continue and that a newstructure and work programme was being finalised.